Adolescent Girls and Young Women in National and District-Level Factsheets September 2019

Republic of Malawi This document was produced under Health Policy Plus with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development under cooperative agreement No. AID-OAA-A-15-00051. Photos © Richard-Nyoni Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Malawi National and District-Level Factsheets

Introduction...... 4 National Factsheet on Adolescent Girls and Young Women...... 5 Northern District Factsheets on Adolescent Girls and Young Women...... 7 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 8 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 10 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 12 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 14 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Nkhatabay District...... 16 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 18 Central District Factsheets on Adolescent Girls and Young Women...... 20 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 21 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 23 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 25 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 27 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 29 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 31 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 33 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 35 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 37 Southern District Factsheets on Adolescent Girls and Young Women...... 39 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 40 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 42 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 44 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 46 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 48 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in District...... 50 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 52 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 54 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 56 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 58 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 60 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 62 Adolescent Girls and Young Women in ...... 64

3 Introduction Compared to any other time in its history, Malawi has the largest-ever population of adolescent girls and young women. While this population represents great potential for Malawi’s future, their rights, aspirations, and agency are compromised by pervasive harmful traditional practices, norms, and gender inequities. Adolescent girls and young women routinely face the threat of physical violence, early marriage and unwanted pregnancy, interrupted schooling, limited access to healthcare services, and unpaid, potentially unsafe, employment opportunities.

In response, the Government of Malawi developed the country’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022), which presents investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these girls and women. To support prioritization of and investment in issues related to adolescent girls and young women, in alignment with Malawi’s national strategy, these factsheets summarize recent data on the realities faced by this population at the national level and in each of Malawi’s districts.

Data for these factsheets has been predominately sourced from the following: Malawi’s 2008 and 2018 population and housing censuses, 2015-2016 Demographic and Health Survey, 2014 Millennium Development Goals Endline Survey (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey), 2016-2017 Integrated Household Survey, and 2017 Education Statistics.

4 National Factsheet on Adolescent FACTSHEET Girls and Young Women September 2019

Malawi’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Malawi Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of 17.5 norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede million in 2018, a 35% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the country. To set the stage for • More than 1 in 3 positive long-term development, adequate support structures inhabitants are youth and protections are needed for these young women, ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—3.2 million—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by Malawi’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Malawi

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly 2 in 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 in 3 youth agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their communities across the country.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. Access challenges are among the dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 25% of young women (15–24) are iliterate.vi • The majority of girls (90%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 15% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • Reasons girls drop out of secondary school include poor access (long distance to school) (21%), the burden of family responsibility (17%), the unaffordability of school fees (10%), and pregnancy (7%).viii 5 In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across Malawi. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 46% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of these women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (62%). However, they are also the most commonly discontinued method (63%), mostly because of concerns about side effects(24%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Less than 2 out of 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (49%). Of those, nearly 2 out of 3 (64%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (64%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Malawi Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Northern District Factsheets on Adolescent Girls and Young Women Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Chitipa District September 2019

Chitipa’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Chitipa Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 234,927 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 31% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—43,664—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Chitipa should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Chitipa

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (68%) agree that sexual and gender- based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 80% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (95%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 13% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are marriage (34%) and are the unaffordability of school fees(23%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half (46%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 1 in 5 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 6% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (52%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (49%), partially because of concerns about side effects(14%) .iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Nearly 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 2 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 (63%) are working outside the home. Of those, 81% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just 14% of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (86%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (91%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Chitipa Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Karonga’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Karonga Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 365,028 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 35% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—69,915—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Karonga should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Karonga

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (69%) agree that sexual and gender- based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Half of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 80% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (97%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 18% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (28%) and pregnancy (21%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, half (51%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 10% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (55%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (60%), partially because of concerns about side effects(22%) .iii • Just half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 1 in 3 young women age 15–24 (27%) are working outside the home. Of those, 45% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than half of working adolescent girls and young women (47%) receive cash for their work—the majority (53%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (93%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Karonga Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Likoma District September 2019

Likoma’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Likoma Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 14,527 in 2018, a 39% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—2,629—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Likoma should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Likoma

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • Nearly 2 out of 3 youth (63%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 5 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • The majority of girls (88%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 25% are enrolled in secondary education.vi • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the lack of school teachers (67%) and pregnancy (24%).vii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 5 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half (45%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly half of pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 4 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (50%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (49%), partially because of concerns about side effects(8%) .iii • 2 out of 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 1 in 5 young women age 15–24 (18%) are working outside the home. Of those, 8% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • While the majority of working adolescent girls and young women (82%) receive cash for their work— an additional (18%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. vii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Mzimba’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Mzimba’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede of 936,250 in 2018, their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute a 28% increase to the future development of the district. To set the stage for from 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—154,819—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Mzimba should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mzimba

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in- union before the legal age of 18.iii • Nearly 2 out of 3 youth (64%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • The dominant share (88%) of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (95%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 16% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are due to marriage (31%) and long travel distances (21%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 46% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly half of pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 16% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (61%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (53%), partially because of concerns about side effects(21%) .iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Less than 2 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • More than 1 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (35%). Of those, 66% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (68%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (94%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Mzimba Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Nkhatabay District September 2019

Nkhatabay’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Nkhatabay Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 285,795 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 33% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—48,600—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Nkhatabay should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Nkhatabay

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than 1 in 2 married girls and young women 15–24 were in- union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 75% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (92%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 17% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (31%) and the unaffordability of school fees(29%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 43% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 2 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed— they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 5 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 24% of these women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Implants and injectables are the most commonly used methods of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (35% and 34%, respectively). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (45%), mostly because of concerns about side effects(23%) .iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • The majority of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (51%). Of those, more than 3 out of 4 (79%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Fewer than 1 in 10 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (92%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Nkhatabay Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Rumphi’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Rumphi Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 229,161 in 2018, a 33% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—41,907—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Rumphi should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Rumphi

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (66%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Nearly half of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 88% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (93%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 33% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (34%) and pregnancy (23%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half (43%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly half of pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (45%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (40%), partially because of concerns about side effects(27%) .iii • Just half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Nearly half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly half of girls and young women age 15–24 (47%) are working outside the home. Of those, 63% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than half of working adolescent girls and young women (42%) receive cash for their work—the majority (58%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (94%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Rumphi Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Central District Factsheets on Adolescent Girls and Young Women Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Dedza District September 2019

Dedza’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Dedza’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 830,512 in 2018, a 33% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—136,152—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Dedza should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Dedza

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 1 in 2 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Nearly 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 2 in 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (87%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 7% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (33%) and the unaffordability of school fees(26%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 40% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 1 in 2 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed— they were wanted later.iii • Nearly 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. However, an additional 13% of these women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (66%). However, they are also the most commonly discontinued method (60%), mostly because of concerns about side effects(25%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • The vast majority of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (78%). Of those, nearly 3 out of 4 (74%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Only 1 in 10 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (75%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (97%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Dedza Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Dowa District September 2019

Dowa’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Dowa’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede of 772,569 in 2018, their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute a 38% increase to the future development of the district. To set the stage for from 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—130,258—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Dowa should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Dowa

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (69%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Nearly 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (89%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 8% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (49%) and marriage(25%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 25% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • 1 in 4 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 6% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (66%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (65%), partially because of concerns about side effects(26%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Slighty more than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (49%). Of those, 62% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (62%) did not receive pay for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (94%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Dowa Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Kasungu’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Kasungu’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede of 842,953 in 2018, their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute a 34% increase to the future development of the district. To set the stage for from 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—138,809—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Kasungu should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Kasungu

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (66%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Nearly 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 3 out of 4 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (88%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 8% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (31%) and marriage(22%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 5 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 43% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly half of pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 11% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (55%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (62%), partially because of concerns about side effects(25%) .iii • Slightly more than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Less than half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • More than half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (58%). Of those, 68% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (73%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (94%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Kasungu Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Lilongwe’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Lilongwe’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 2,626,901 in 2018, their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute a 38% increase to the future development of the district. To set the stage for from 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—441,052—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Lilongwe should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Lilongwe

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • Nearly 2 out of 3 youth (61%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • Less than 2 in 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (86%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 11% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (38%) and pregnancy(20%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 35% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 11% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (62%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (58%), partially because of concerns about side effects(19%) .iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 2 out of 3 girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (63%). Of those, half work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than half of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the remaining are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (92%) do not have an account at a bank osr other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Lilongwe Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Mchinji District September 2019

Mchinji’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Mchinji Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural norms, • Total population of and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede their 602,305 in 2018, a 31% ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute to the increase from 2008 future development of the district. To set the stage for positive • 1 in 3 inhabitants are long-term development, adequate support structures and youth ages 10–24 protections are needed for these young women, particularly • More than half of those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, and those youth—107,965—are ii living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and protections adolescent girls and in place at home, school, and the work place, as well as within young women communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Mchinji should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mchinji

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (67%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (88%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 11% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees(29%) and pregnancy (20%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half (44%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly half of pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 14% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (59%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (70%), partially because of concerns about side effects (24%).iii • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Nearly 2 out of 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • The vast majority of girls and young women age 15–24 (76%) are working outside the home. Of those, 77% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • 1 in 4 working adolescent girls and young women (26%) receive cash for their work—the majority (74%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (98%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Mchinji Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Nkhotakota’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Nkhotakota Population potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women Profilei are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede their • Total population of ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute to the 393,077 in 2018, a future development of the district. To set the stage for positive 29% increase from long-term development, adequate support structures and 2008 protections are needed for these young women, particularly • 1 in 3 inhabitants are those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, and those youth ages 10–24 living with HIV and/or disabilities.ii With support and protections • More than half of in place at home, school, and the work place, as well as within youth—72,101—are communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young adolescent girls and young women women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Nkhotakota should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Nkhotakota

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (67%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 5 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (91%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 14% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees(40%) and pregnancy (28%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half (43%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 5 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 12% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (49%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (67%), partially because of concerns about side effects(23%) .iii • Just half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • More than 2 out of 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 1 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 (31%) are working outside the home. Of those, half work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just 40% of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (60%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Nkhotakota Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Ntcheu District September 2019

Ntcheu’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Ntcheu Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 659,608 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 39% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—118,387—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Ntcheu should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Ntcheu

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (67%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 4 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (82%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 13% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees(31%) and pregnancy (23%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half (46%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 5 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 14% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (58%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (60%), partially because of concerns about side effects(15%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • 2 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 (67%) are working outside the home. Of those, 83% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just 43% of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (57%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (96%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Ntcheu Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Ntchisi District September 2019

Ntchisi’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Ntchisi’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 317,069 in 2018, a 41% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—52,599—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Ntchisi should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Ntchisi

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (73%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experiencsed physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 3 out of 4 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (87%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 9% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (31%) and marriage(18%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 33% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 11% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (66%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (76%), partially because of concerns about side effects(26%) .iii • More than half of women age 5–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just 1 in 4 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 1 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (29%). Of those, 70% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 5 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (84%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Ntchisi Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Salima District September 2019

Salima’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Salima Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 478,346 in 2018, a 41% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—78,451—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by thsese women. Decision-makers in Salima should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Salima

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly 2 in 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • Nearly 75% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (87%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 13% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees(47%) and pregnancy (16%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 4 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 43% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 4 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 4 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of these women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (64%). However, they are also the most commonly discontinued method (60%), mostly because of concerns about side effects(28%) .iii • Less than 1 in 2 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just 2 out of 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (47%). Of those, nearly 1 in 2 (46%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (54%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Salima Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Southern District Factsheets on Adolescent Girls and Young Women Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Balaka District September 2019

Balaka’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Balaka’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 438,379 in 2018, a 38% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—72,095—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Balaka should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Balaka

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in- union before the legal age of 18.iii • Nearly 2 out of 3 youth (63%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 5 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 85% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (89%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 16% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (45%) and pregnancy (38%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 53% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than half of pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed— they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 16% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (69%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (75%), partially because of concerns about side effects(25%) .iii • 2 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Less than half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (51%). Of those, 60% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (62%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Balaka Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Blantyre’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Blantyre’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 1,251,484 in 2018, their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute a 25% increase to the future development of the district. To set the stage for from 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—224,061—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Blantyre should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Blantyre

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Over half of married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • Nearly 2 out of 3 youth (59%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 3 out of 4 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (82%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 11% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (38%) and pregnancy (22%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 5 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, nearly half gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 11% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (64%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (52%), partially because of concerns about side effects(27%) .iii • Just half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • 1 in 5 girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (22%). Of those, 19% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • 2 out of 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—however, the remaining 33% did not receive pay for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (91%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Blantyre Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Chikwawa District September 2019

Chikwawa’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Chikwawa Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 564,684 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 30% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—99,262—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Chikwawa should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Chikwawa

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (65%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • Nearly 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (84%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 7% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (43%) and pregnancy (28%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, more than half (52%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Half of pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 16% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (56%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (72%), partially because of concerns about side effects(14%) .iii • More than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Nearly 2 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly 1 in 3 young women age 15–24 (31%) are working outside the home. Of those, 68% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just 43% of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (57%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (95%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Chikwawa Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Chiradzulu District September 2019

Chiradzulu’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Chiradzulu Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 356,875 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 23% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—63,901—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Chiradzulu should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Chiradzulu

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (67%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 80% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (87%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 21% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (39%) and the unaffordability of school fees(30%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, more than half (54%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • More than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 (42%) are using contraception. An additional 10% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (67%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (57%), partially because of concerns about side effects(26%) .iii • Just half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • More than half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • More than half of girls and young women age 15–24 (52%) are working outside the home. Of those, 80% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women (29%) receive cash for their work—the majority (71%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (96%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Chiradzulu Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Machinga District September 2019

Machinga’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Machinga’s Population potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women Profilei are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede • Total population their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute of 735,438 in 2018, to the future development of the district. To set the stage for a 50% increase positive long-term development, adequate support structures from 2008 and protections are needed for these young women, • 1 in 3 inhabitants are particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth ages 10–24 and those living with HIV and/or disabilities.ii With support and • More than half of protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as youth—117,835—are well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent adolescent girls and young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Machinga should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Machinga

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (70%) agree that sexual and gender- based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than a quarter of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • Less than 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (89%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 13% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (34%) and the unaffordability of school fees(25%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, half gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later. iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 22% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (72%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (72%), partially because of concerns about side effects(30%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Less than half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • More than half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (59%). Of those, nearly 2 in 3 (63%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just one in four working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (75%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (94%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Machinga Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in September 2019

Mangochi’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Mangochi Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of 1.1 norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede million in 2018, a 44% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—186,000—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Mangochi should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mangochi

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 in 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 5 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • Only 50% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • Nearly all girls (90%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 4% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (26%) and pregnancy (26%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, half gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • 1 in 2 pregnancies among women and girls aged 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 5 women age 15–24 are using contraception. However, an additional 21% of these women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (51%). However, they are also the most commonly discontinued method (79%), mostly because of concerns about side effects(45%) .iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • 1 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (11% of those women are 15–19; 19% are 20–24). Of those, nearly 3 out of 4 (71%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Only 1 in 5 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (75%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (98%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Mangochi Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Mulanje District September 2019

Mulanje’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Mulanje’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 684,107 in 2018, a 31% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—111,211—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Mulanje should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mulanje

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (67%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Nearly half of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 3 out of 4 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (96%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 13% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (32%) and the unaffordability of school fees(31%) .viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, half gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Half of pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (70%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (66%), partially because of concerns about side effects(26%) .iii • Just over half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (47%). Of those, 66% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (72%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (96%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Mulanje Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Mwanza District September 2019

Mwanza’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Mwanza Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 130,949 in 2018, a 41% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—24,155—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Mwanza should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Mwanza

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (72%) agree that sexual and gender- based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 5 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 74% of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (91%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 11% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (19%) and pregnancy (29%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, more than half (58%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (71%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (68%), partially because of concerns about side effects(17%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Nearly 2 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • More than 1 in 3 girls and young women age 15–24 (38%) are working outside the home. Of those, 53% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 4 working adolescent girls and young women (24%) receive cash for their work—the majority (76%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (98%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Mwanza Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Neno District September 2019

Neno’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great potential. Neno Population Profilei However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural norms, • Total population of and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede their 138,291 in 2018, a 29% ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute to the increase from 2008 future development of the district. To set the stage for positive • 1 in 3 inhabitants are long-term development, adequate support structures and youth ages 10–24 protections are needed for these young women, particularly • More than half of those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, and youth—25,206—are ii those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s first National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Neno should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Neno

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (68%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 5 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • 2 out of 3 of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (93%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 18% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (57%) and early marriage (16%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Nearly half (49%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • 1 in 2 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Less than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 16% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (66%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (80%), partially because of concerns about side effects(33%) .iii • Half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Nearly 2 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • More than half of young women age 15–24 (53%) are working outside the home. Of those, 74% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women (30%) receive cash for their work—the majority (70%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (98%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Neno Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Nsanje District September 2019

Nsanje’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Nsanje’s Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 299,168 in 2018, a 25% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—48,308—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s firstNational Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Nsanje should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Nsanje

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • Nearly 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in- union before the legal age of 18.iii • Nearly 3 out of 4 youth (72%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • More than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than half of young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (86%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 11% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are pregnancy (55%) and marriage (18%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • More than 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 47% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 2 out of 3 pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 22% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (55%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (70%), partially because of concerns about side effects(22%) .iii • Slightly more than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (45%). Of those, 43% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than 1 in 3 working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (65%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (97%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Nsanje Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Phalombe District September 2019

Phalombe’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Phalombe Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 429,450 in 2018, a their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute 37% increase from to the future development of the district. To set the stage for 2008 positive long-term development, adequate support structures • 1 in 3 inhabitants are and protections are needed for these young women, youth ages 10–24 particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, • More than half of ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and youth—77,990—are protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as adolescent girls and well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent young women girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s firstNational Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Phalombe should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Phalombe

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • More than 2 out of 3 youth (68%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • Nearly 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (92%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 6% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (31%) and pregnancy (23%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, more than half (61%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • Nearly 2 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • More than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 13% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (75%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (72%), partially because of concerns about side effects(23%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • More than 1 in 3 women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • The vast majority of young women age 15–24 (75%) are working outside the home. Of those, 84% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just 15% of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (85%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (99%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Phalombe Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Thyolo District September 2019

Thyolo’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Thyolo Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 721,456 in 2018, a 25% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—134,399—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s firstNational Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by these women. Decision-makers in Thyolo should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Thyolo

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth (66%) agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (89%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 15% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are early pregnancy (24%) and marriage (24%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • Nearly 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, more than half (55%) gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls age 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 14% of women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (67%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (71%), partially because of concerns about side effects(26%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • More than half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were not informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Half of girls and young women age 15–24 (49%) are working outside the home. Of those, 81% work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Just 12% of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (88%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (97%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Thyolo Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi Adolescent Girls and Young FACTSHEET Women in Zomba District September 2019

Zomba’s largest-ever population of adolescent girls (ages 10–19) and young women (ages 20–24) represents great Zomba Population Profilei potential. However, these adolescent girls and young women are negatively affected by gender inequity, sociocultural • Total population of norms, and harmful traditional practices, all of which impede 851,737 in 2018, a 27% their ability to thrive, realise their aspirations, and contribute increase from 2008 to the future development of the district. To set the stage for • 1 in 3 inhabitants are positive long-term development, adequate support structures youth ages 10–24 and protections are needed for these young women, • More than half of particularly those who are most vulnerable—mothers, orphans, youth—141,158—are ii and those living with HIV and/or disabilities. With support and adolescent girls and protections in place at home, school, and the work place, as young women well as within communities and health facilities, adolescent girls and young women can realise their potential now and in the future.

The Government of Malawi’s firstNational Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (2018–2022) presents multi-sectoral, collaborative investments and strategies for addressing the unique barriers and vulnerabilities faced by thsese women. Decision-makers in Zomba should look to the key actions outlined in the national strategy to address the following disparities faced by the district’s young female population. Realities Faced by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Zomba

At Home and Within Communities Adolescent girls and young women marry at early ages and are susceptible to physical violence and harmful practices. These realities increase their risk for unintended, mistimed, and higher-risk pregnancies, compromise their access to all functions of society, and violate their basic human rights. • More than 2 out of 3 married girls and young women 15–24 were in-union before the legal age of 18.iii • 2 out of 3 youth agree that sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls is an issue in their community.iv • Nearly half of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.v In School Very few adolescent girls progress to secondary school, challenging future employment opportunities and empowerment. The high cost of school fees and pregnancy are dominant reasons why girls drop out of secondary school. • More than 2 out of 3 young women (15–24) are literate.vi • The majority of girls (94%) are enrolled in primary school. However, only 10% are enrolled in secondary education.vii • The dominant reasons girls drop out of secondary school are the unaffordability of school fees (37%) and pregnancy (31%).viii In Health A significant share of pregnancies among girls and young women are mistimed, which may be driven and further aggravated by the high unmet need for family planning. There are missed opportunities for decreasing contraceptive discontinuation, as well as increasing uptake among new users, across the district. • 1 in 3 adolescent girls 15–19 have begun childbearing.v Of those, 56% gave birth before their 18th birthday.iii • More than 1 in 3 pregnancies among women and girls 15–24 were mistimed—they were wanted later.iii • Just 1 in 3 women age 15–24 are using contraception. An additional 14% of these women and girls want to space or delay pregnancy but are not using contraception.iii • Injectables are the most commonly used method of contraception among adolescent girls and young women (67%). Injectables are also the most commonly discontinued method (72%), partially because of concerns about side effects(23%) .iii • Less than half of women age 15–24 understand how to correctly prevent sexual transmission of HIV.vi • Just half of women age 15–24 who recently visited a health facility were informed about family planning.iii Within Employment Of the adolescent girls and young women who work outside the home, the majority do so in agriculture, and without cash payment. Few young women have opportunities to obtain credit in order to grow other forms of business and improve livelihoods. Agricultural work can be hazardous, compromising the health, safety, and education of these girls and women. • Nearly half of girls and young women age 15–24 are working outside the home (44%). Of those, more than 1 in 3 (42%) work within agriculture; the extent to which this work is hazardous is unknown.iii • Less than half of working adolescent girls and young women receive cash for their work—the majority (54%) are not paid for their work.iii • Nearly all women age 18–24 (96%) do not have an account at a bank or other financial institution, a barrier to obtaining credit for other means of self-employment.iii

Sources: i National Statistical Office (NSO). 2018. 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census: Preliminary Report. Zomba: NSO. In order to estimate the district-level population by age and sex, the 2008 census age and sex breakdown was applied to the 2018 district-specific total, male, and female population. ii Government of Malawi. 2018. National Strategy for Adolescent Girls and Young Women 2018–2022. Lilongwe: Government of Malawi. iii NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. Data extracted from data files. Small sample size; not generalizable for the entire youthful population. iv U-Report Malawi. 2019. “Understanding Sexual & Gender Based Violence in Malawi.” Available at: http://www.ureport.mw/poll/3150/. v NSO and ICF. 2017. Malawi Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. Zomba and Rockville, MD: NSO and ICF. vi NSO. 2016. Zomba Key Findings Report - Malawi MDG Endline Survey 2014. Zomba: NSO. vii NSO. 2017. Integrated Household Survey 2016–2017: Household Socio-Economic Characteristics Report. Zomba: NSO. viii Government of Malawi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. 2018. Malawi Education Statistics 2017. Lilongwe: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Republic of Malawi